Thread: Decisions, Decisions

Hi Bill, I guess we will all come to the point in our lives where a similar decision may have to be reached. I have a few large power tools and a reasonable sized shed living on an acre but in the event of having to move into something smaller in the future, I think I would probably concentrate on turning small objects on the lathe, maybe just pens. Reason being the noise factor. Table saw and Thicknesser would be used very sparingly because of the noise. I would still love to make small boxes so I would still need the use of the thicknesser and the TS and Bandsaw.
Wow, the more I think of it, the more difficult it would be to decide exactly what I would take with me or what I would do. Guess I could take up making boxes on the BS.
I think I will just stay where I am for the time being.

Hi Bill,

Rather than sell all of those tools and equipment that you decide to, how about using some of them to make up a kit for your children or grandchilden? it could be a way of having your tools stay in the family and become heirlooms, as well as the new kit you are thinking of.

cheers
Wendy

Not sure where you're moving to, is it your own unit or a village?
If it's a village, is there any chance they have their own workshop?
You might have the odd thing or two they need and therefore can continue using yourself ....same goes if your moving closer to a Men's Shed.
Just a thought.
Otherwise you've got it all covered and remember to post pics of the toolchest when you're finished.

Thanks for the replies.
The kids have each got a good set of tools, probably more than they are likely to use but one has some interest in woodworking.
I like the mens shed idea, several of the local lads have talked about it over the last few years but to date it has'nt got off the ground, the biggest problem being shed rental. If it happens I am prepared to help equip it.
Another option is to pick the eyes out of what I have & continue to use those items. The drawback is that I wanted to show the best of todays tools to a future woodworker in much the same way the Studley chest shows the best of its time to me today. Perhaps thats not explained very well but I hope you get the idea.

With regard to the tool chest I have red cedar put aside fot it as well as brass plate to inlay. The first step though is to decide what goes into it so the size & layout can be established.
Thanks, Bill

As already suggested, boxes can use similar skills to cabinet making on a much smaller scale. You didn't mention turning but a lathe or two doesn't take up much space and pens/bowls sell reasonably well at markets or even just word of mouth. If you structure your prices to whole $$$ then its a mostly cash income which can suppliment an income or at least make the hobby mostly self sufficient.

you asked what others have done?
Two months ago I decided to sell my house and move to a such smaller house in a larger town.
I have a double garage here and all my tools all fitted in well, so I thought if the new house has a big shed all my tools would fit OK.
So I hired a storage shed and moved all my gear to it.[that was a major operation]
So far so good.
My house is slow to sell, I am now 75 and the thought of setting up again and having the noise to worry about, is it going to be worth the trouble.
So I am thinking of selling my gear and if I go thru withdrawal I can join a Men's Shed.
So my answer in hindsight is sell the gear and move unencumbered.
what ever you do it won't be an easy decision.
best of luck
les

I only seriously started this hobby about 3 years ago. I look at what I have and can tell you that I have a long way to go in acquiring tools. I am only talking about the tools that I think I would need day to day in creating something. It takes years to gathering tools and to me it does not seem right to say that I will have to get rid of things just to clean a space?

You say that you are out of projects. The question is did you get into this to make something or did you get into this to have fun.

As for tool collecting, sorry I can not relate I only have one of each,,,,,,, almost.

Les, Best of luck with yout move. Moving at any time is a pita but downsizing even harder for a variety of reasons.
.

Christos, the problem is what fills a 15 x 7.5 mtr shed won't go into a double garage. I work wood for the fun of making something and also for the pleasure of giving an item to someone who appreciates it. There is obviously a financial limit to that.

I have a project in mind..... the tool chest.
I will be downsizing my tool & timber stock.
The issue for me is the worth of upgrading to current state of the art tools and housing them to the best of my ability in the hope they eventually become an object of interest as the Studley chest is to me today.

Thanks for your replies.

You do have some heavy decisions to make.

I see that giving away items that you have built is also something that you. What you need is someone near you that can take up the hobby to share knowledge. My friends so far have not been bitten by the bug, but there is always hope.

Bill,
I fear that I will be approaching your dilemma in a decade or so. As SWMBO put it, "We're probably going to die in this house."

My question to you is, "Do you HAVE to move?" Perhaps you could re-evaluate your current situation and make it comfortable for several more years. I am envious of the size of your shed!

Where we are now we do have several decent neighbors that we could depend upon for some things but we would NEVER expect them to be care takers. We also have a son living a couple of k away.

gnu2 - must be a few of us approaching these sorts of decisions. I'm looking at leaving the paid workforce shortly, and live on acreage, & probably won't be able to stay there indefinitely - there is a lot of work needed to maintain the lifestyle!

Once I have more time, I would like to move to more handwork & use virtually no machines at all, just because I prefer the quiet & less dusty workplace that would bring. It's also more 'contemplative' as one of our respected forumites puts it. This will stretch out the fun . Getting rid of some of the heavy-duty machines would free up quite a bit of space, too, & make the eventual move a lot easier. Trouble is, as you get older it isn't as much fun pushing a heavy plane for several hours - so which bits to hang onto, & which bits to let go of??? I went through the exercise of culling my tools & making a fancy toolchest to hold them (though not as compact as Studley's). However, be warned, much as you think you've got 'em all, there'll always be another tool ot three that will try to sneak in, so leave a bit of spare room.

As you say, decisions, decisions! I almost envy you for running out of projects - if I ever do get to finish my list, there are a whole lot of earlier projects that could do with replacement, now my skills & critical views have moved on!

That wasn't much help, was it? Though p'raps it helps a little to know you're not alone.......
Cheers,

Rich & Ian,
Thanks for your replies. There are various reasons for moving, one being the effort & cost of maintaining a largish timber house. I loathe painting. Also the house has 4 mtr ceilings which means heating/ cooling costs are high. No problem when working but when retired they will become a consideration. The main reason however is that medical services here are limited and as we age we are likely to require them more. In fact my wife had cancer recently and the constant travel for chemo & radiotherapy ( 5 hour round trip) was what decided me a move was the best option. Also wer have no family here but do where we thought of going.
As to projects swmbo collects antiques so there isnt much scope for furniture its not that I've been prolific.
Does anyone think the toolchest idea is worthwhile or am I wrong thinking in what I outlined in my earlier posts.
Regards, Bill

Originally Posted by gnu52

........
Does anyone think the toolchest idea is worthwhile or am I wrong thinking in what I outlined in my earlier posts.
......

Bill - I think making a fancy toolchest is an excellent project. My warning about leaving room for a couple more tools was just based on personal experience. That is, if you intend to go on using your tools until you are no longer able, as I sure hope you will!

I understand your need to move - have reached the age where I realise I'm not immortal, too! My big concern atm is our high gutters & my creaky knees - I think a few trees have to come down to extend our stay here!

So SWMBO prefers aged pieces to yours? That does limit your creativity a bit. We like the real thing, too, but don't have all that many. The stuff we REALLY like is a bit beyond our means , so I get to try my hand at making a few necessary items . I'm not a purist, but do try to get the spirit of things into pieces that actually suit our needs. And I'll never run out of projects, 'cos nothing I've ever made couldn't be vastly improved, next time.....

Cheers,

I, too, think the tool chest idea a very good one.

cheers
Wendy